Vietnam included in South Korean Lotte’s US$44-billion5-year investment plan

The Hanoitimes – It is the first major business decision after Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin was released from jail following an appeals trial, South Korean media reported. South Korea’s Lotte Group on October 23 announced that it will inject around W50 trillion (US$44 billion) in all of its foreign and domestic business units over the next five years, including Vietnam, said the group in a statement. Illustrative photo. The corporation said of its investment plan that W20 trillion (US$17.64 billion), or 40%, will be allocated to the chemical business, with W12.5 trillion (US$11.02 billion), or 25%, planned for its retail arm, while creating 70,000 new jobs during the period. It is the first major business decision after Lotte Chairman Shin Dong-bin was released from jail following an appeals trial. He served an eight-month jail term on bribery charges in connection with a massive corruption scandal involving ousted President Park Geun-hye and her friend Choi Soon-sil. Another 10% and 25% of the planned investment, respectively, will be spent on its food and tourism businesses. Lotte Corp., the business group’s holding firm, said that W12 trillion (US$10.58 billion) has been earmarked for next year, particularly on enhancing the online business in the retail sector and expanding facilities for its chemical business in South Korea, Indonesia and the US. It will be the largest amount to be invested by the company in a single year, it said. Lotte said it will focus on the digital transformation of its retail services using new… [Read full story]